Writers Cut Grammys a Break

Striking writers have agreed not to picket the Grammys next month, opening the way for major stars to perform and attend the telecast. The Writers Guild and the Recording Academy are negotiating a deal that would also allow union writers to work on the CBS broadcast. Writers and studio representatives also began informal talks yesterday to settle the strike, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The guild has reportedly dropped its demand to represent writers on reality shows and in animation. The move follows Friday's deal between TV producers and the Directors Guild, which granted union members a fee for web-streamed programming and a 100% increase in fees for DVD sales—which could become a blueprint for a new pact with writers. (More Grammy Awards stories.)